1. For ISRAEL, give the following information:

1. capital
2. location/the countries that share its borders
3. the religious breakdown of the population
4. the type of government
5. the chief of state (and head of government if different) If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? – include name of heir apparent for monarch
6. the population
7. the land size of Israel (compared to a U.S. state)

Find the answers at the CIA World FactBook website. For each country, answers can be found under the “Geography” “People” and “Government” headings.

NOTE: Before answering the following questions, read the "Backgrond" and watch the video under “Resources” below.

2. For ISRAEL:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What Iranian targets did Israel hit in Syria?
c) For what reasons did Israel launch a rocket attack on sites inside Syria?
d) What did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say about Iran and Syria’s attempts to harm Israelis?
e) Look at the map of Israel and the surrounding countries. Consider the numerous attacks on Israel from Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. What would you say to a person who says Israel should not strike Iranian military targets in Syria to protect its people?